Search Results

1-4 of 4 results for subject:SkillForce

Show detailed: On Off

Results: 10 20 50 100

Sort by: Newest first Oldest first

Written Statement on the Skill Force initiative to re-engage disaffected 14 to 16 year-olds with mainstream education

Written Statement on the Skill Force initiative to re-engage disaffected 14 to 16 year-olds with mainstream education. (Inc figs and fact that copy of Institute of Education evaluation report is in the library).

Member

Ivor Caplin (Labour)

Department

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written statements

Date

28 October 2003

Reference

412 c8-9WS

House

House of Commons

Bach, Lord

Lords statement on what evaluation has been carried out of the Skill Force youth initiative.[HL 5176] - Inc figures and fact that Institute of Education evaluation of Skill Force in Library (Dep 03/2160).

Asked by

Baroness Nicol (Labour)

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

28 October 2003

Reference

HL 5176; 654 c26WA

House

House of Lords

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the launching of the Skill Force in Oldham.

Asked by

Patrick Mercer (Conservative)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

30 January 2003

For answer on

6 February 2003

Answered on

6 February 2003

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the launching of the Skill Force in Oldham. [95413] Dr. Moonie: The Skill Force initiative is part of Ministry of Defence's work in the wider community as a force for good. The objective is to reduce the number of pupils not in employment, education or training on completion of mandatory education at 16. More immediately, the aim is to reduce truancy, school exclusion and juvenile crime. This is done by using the skills and experience of ex-Service instructors to deliver a vocational alternative for one day a week in school time. The course develops Wider and Key skills through a range of awards and qualifications ranging from St. John's Ambulance young lifesaver to Duke of Edinburgh and Key Skills qualifications. The course is structured around the ASDAN modular vocational award studied at Bronze/Silver level. Pupils gain self- confidence and team skills while working with strong positive role models from the armed forces. As a result of an independent evaluation of two of the more mature schemes carried out last year, it was agreed that DfES would fund a further 12 schemes as part of its Behaviour Improvement Programme. 13 local education authorities were invited to include Skill Force in their range of behaviour improvement measures. I am pleased to say that Oldham was one of the authorities chosen and that the scheme there was formally opened on 9 January 2003. A total of some 54 young people are involved in Skill Force Oldham, the participating schools are, Breeze Hill School, Radclyffe School and South Chadderton School.

Date

6 February 2003

Reference

399 c405-6W;399 c403W; 95413

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, What assessment he has made of the pilot Skillforce scheme; and if he will make a statement. (Failed OPQ). - Includes figures and refers to British Market Research Bureau research has already been placed in the Library.

Asked by

Helen Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Defence

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

25 November 2002

For answer on

9 December 2002

Answered on

9 December 2002

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the pilot Skillforce scheme; and if he will make a statement. [83989] Dr. Moonie: The Skill Force scheme is now in its third year in secondary schools at its two original locations. A further nine locations are in their second year of piloting and this autumn we are putting Skill Force teams into a further 13 locations. This latest expansion is being taken forward jointly between the Ministry of Defence and Department of Education and Skills (DfES) as part of DfES's Behaviour Improvement Programme which, in turn, is part of the Government's Street Crime Initiative. Independent evaluation of the impact of this exciting scheme is an integral part of the approach we have taken to the piloting of Skill Force. This focuses on testing the scheme's achievement against the key objectives: reducing truancy; reducing exclusions; improving educational and vocational attainment; improving behaviour; and reducing the number of young people who are not in employment, education or training on completion of their mandatory schooling. The latest evaluation by the British Market Research Bureau reviews the original schemes in Newcastle Upon Tyne and West Norfolk and shows positive results. Attendance rates exceeded 90 per cent. among children who were otherwise expected to display sharply declining attendance through years 10 and 11; for many it would have been expected that declining attendance would have led eventually to exclusion. Exclusion levels have also reduced dramatically; only 13 participants were excluded, compared to 46 who were identified at being at risk of permanent exclusion. One Norfolk Head Teacher said: "There are youngsters that would have been excluded by now from school if it hadn't been for Skill Force. Some of them have got very challenging behaviours but there has been a noticeable improvement, there's also been a noticeable improvement in their attendance as well". Skill Force has been credited as the major factor in raising GCSE A*-C grades from 26 per cent. to 36 per cent. in one of the Newcastle Upon Tyne schools. In addition, over half of the parents interviewed have reported more positive behaviour and attitudes which they attribute directly to Skill Force. The report also indicated areas where further development of the Schemes could be undertaken and would be beneficial. A full copy of the British Market Research Bureau research has already been placed in the Library of the House.

Date

9 December 2002

Reference

396 c18-9W; 83989

House

House of Commons

Librarians' tools

Type

House

Session

Year

Department

Member

Primary member

Answering member

Legislative stage

Legislation

Subject

Publisher